Hello, lovely readers! Hope you enjoy the chapter – nothing belongs to me, of course, and all mistakes are mine.
Isabella was sitting in her sitting room the morning after the royal ladies' garden tea, giving herself what was, in her opinion, a much-deserved reprieve from battle. She was exhausted, mentally and physically, from the events of the last two weeks and saw no end to her struggles in sight. Her ceaseless and calculated efforts among the court had made significant headway with the nobles' opinions of her, but two weeks was hardly sufficient time to cement their favor.
When she had told her husband that she had no allies, she did not yet appreciated the enormity of that truth, not having gotten in the thick of things and having anticipated much more time before she'd be required to do so. But now, dealing with the court and knowing that every move she made could affect the people's opinion of her for her entire rule, she desperately longed for another she could confide in and share her burden with, if only through discussion. None in Englasia qualified.
She did think she was well on her way to making the queen an ally, but she was not willing to make herself vulnerable to such a key player in the war she was waging quite yet. She needed to be absolutely certain of having secured the queen's enduring favor before making a confidante of her.
So it was with a downtrodden countenance that she found herself continuing the painting that had been neglected for two weeks. She carefully added the colors that would bring her childhood home's charms to life. She had been at it for two hours, slowly allowing the tension in her body and mind to release, when a knock sounded at the door. She called for the visitor to enter, and the feeling of déjà vu hit her rather hard when Sir Benjamin came in and bowed low.
"My lady, my lord desires greatly that you read this and give your answer to me forthwith," he said.
He handed her a roll of parchment, and Isabella immediately broke the seal and opened it, feeling sure that she was about the read another invitation to lunch. She was not disappointed.
My dearest wife,
The last time we conversed together, you told me that I needed to make my decision and quickly about the path my life shall henceforth take. Having come to the sticking point and crossed it, I'd like to discuss with you my thoughts and choices.
I have, with the assistance of a young kitchen maid, prepared a rather impressive picnic luncheon for our enjoyment, that we might go to a place in the forest known only to me where we shall not be disturbed for such a discussion. I'd be most honored if you would agree to meet me at the noontide in the entrance hall that we might set off together. Please send your answer with Sir Benjamin, and dress for riding should you choose to accept my invitation. I await your reply with anticipation.
Sincerely,
Your husband
Isabella read the letter with a small smile. He had not told her his answer, but the familiarities he had taken when referencing her and himself and the desire for a picnic rather than something less intimate led her to believe he had come to the correct conclusion. She looked back up at Sir Benjamin.
"You may tell him that I would be delighted to accompany him," she said simply, still with that small smile.
"Yes, your highness," he said before bowing once more and leaving the room.
Edward paced nervously about the entrance hall as he awaited his bride. The servants who were busy about their day gave him a wide berth and shot him worried glances every now and again. Words and sentences blazed through the prince's restless mind as he tried to conjure the coming conversation in a way that would end favorably. The long and short of it was that he knew not Isabella well enough to predict her reactions to any given comment.
The previous day's meeting had yielded many unexpected developments regarding his wife. No one had informed him that she had been destined to rule her country. He had known that she came willingly but not that in doing so she had surrendered her future supremacy over her people. Of course, she would still be queen, and over both her people and his, but she would be under his authority, whereas she would have only answered to God had she stayed in Arizia. She had willingly subjected herself to him, of whom her opinion was rather bleak, that her people might live.
His view of her grew and improved by the day, and his contemplation of her character made him feel woefully inadequate by comparison. She interacted with his people in a way and on a level that he had never even attempted, much less achieved, and he saw admiration for their future queen in their eyes. The respect she was so fond of speaking of was present when they looked upon her, but he now saw that their eyes held only indulgent and near condescending fondness when they looked on him, rather like a small child who has gotten into mischief. He did not like the feeling, and he knew without a doubt that he wanted to earn the right to be esteemed, not indulged.
He was broken from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. He turned to find his wife, resplendent in her riding dress and cloak. He was hit anew by the beauty and grace she held in her form as he looked her up and down. Her long chestnut hair was pulled back from her face to keep it out of the wind, but it still cascaded down her back in waves. Her deep chocolate brown eyes softly gazed back at him as she reached the bottom of the staircase.
Edward bowed and held out his hand for Isabella. "My lady, you are a delight to behold. I thank you for accepting my invitation," he said.
Isabella placed her hand in his and had to stop herself from arching her brow when he kissed it tenderly. "I was pleased and intrigued to receive it, my lord," she answered. "Shall we be on our way?"
"Of course," he said before offering his arm.
She took it and allowed him to lead her out the doors of the castle and down the steps to where a groomsman was holding the reins of two horses, both already laden down with supplies. The prince gallantly helped Isabella onto hers, where she perched delicately with both legs on one side. He mounted his own horse, and together they set off for the forest.
"Would you be so kind as to inform me when we are no longer likely to come across others?" she asked.
Edward was confused by the request but merely said, "If you wish, my lady."
They entered the forest and rode in comfortable silence, ambling along at the rather slow pace necessitated by Isabella's posture.
Suddenly, Edward broke the silence. "We are now past where anybody should be wandering about."
"Thank you," Isabella said, smiling. She then proceeded to swing her right leg about expertly to straddle her horse.
"You ride like a man?" Edward asked in disbelief and a hint of disapproval.
"I always have," she answered simply.
"Tis immodest!" he exclaimed.
"I always wear skirts that billow well enough to cover me adequately and along with altered men's pants under them as a precaution," she said airily. "I think poor Angela may never recover from her shock when I pulled them out of a trunk I brought from home."
"If you have always ridden so, why did you start our journey side-saddle?" he asked, realizing that voicing his objections at this point would hardly be conducive to the amiable discussion he hoped to have presently.
"I am still at war, sire," she said. "My newborn relationship with your people is far too tenuous to attempt something as radical as this in their sight. The time will come, though."
"And what did your people think of it?" he asked.
"They variously found it endearing, amusing, and a sign of strength," she said pleasantly. "My mother did not."
Edward laughed for a moment but stopped abruptly, realizing that she had just made a joke. He had never heard her say aught that could be construed as amusing except at his expense, so her quip surprised him.
"Let us ride a bit quicker, then," he said, letting the subject alone for now.
"Yes, let's," Isabella agreed. "Though not too quick. I'm afraid this poor mare you've given me is not built for such exertion. Next time we ride together, I shall take a stallion of equal abilities to yours, that we might gallop."
Edward was irked slightly by her assertion, as he was not used to others critiquing his decisions and then asserting their own without asking his leave in the same breath. But again, he let it alone to be addressed at a later date. After all, mares were much safer creatures for females to ride.
They increased their speed and continued in silence for the remainder of their journey, which lasted a full forty-five minutes.
Isabella was appreciating the forest's charms when suddenly she realized that they were no longer surrounded by trees. Her mouth gaped as she gazed around the most beautiful meadow she had ever seen. The wildflowers blew gently in the breeze as the sun shone down upon it and seemed to set it alive. Butterflies and bees danced about as songbirds piped joyful tunes from the branches of the surrounding trees.
Isabella dismounted gracefully, still taking in the splendor around her. Edward was enjoying her reaction immensely and did not realize what she was doing until she was on the ground. He decided he wanted to speak to the person who taught her to ride as a man and dismount without assistance.
He followed her example and took his own horse and hers to the stream that ran the northern edge of the meadow and tied them to nearby branches. They both began drinking immediately as Edward strode to his wife's side.
"I take it you like it, then?" he asked, a bit smugly.
"It is positively gorgeous," she answered. "I don't remember the last time that I was around such untamed and natural beauty. All I have seen for months is the contrived and artificial beauty of the castle and its courtyards. This is the first time I have had opportunity to venture beyond its confines."
Edward thought that a true shame, for he saw easily that she was in her element here, among the wild things. She was adept at handling herself among the court, but here is where she shined to his eyes.
"I discovered it some time ago, and I have never shared its existence with another," he said, willing her to understand the significance he attaches to it.
Her eyes turned to him, and she smiled, genuinely and softly. "I am honored, then," she said. "Thank you for showing it to me."
"Shall we sit and dine?" he offered. She readily agreed, and soon an impressive spread was laid out before them as they ate a delicious lunch. They were both content to eat in peace for the first several minutes, as the long ride had worn them out. Finally, the prince spoke.
"I have some good news to offer, my lady," he said as a way to put her in good spirits for the following conversation. "Lord Eleazar was dispatched today to invite your father to court as soon as it can be arranged."
Isabella started at the news and turned inquisitive eyes on Edward. "Truly?" she asked.
"Yes, indeed," he answered, hoping to be rewarded with a more overt sign of excitement. "I know not how quickly that can be managed nor how fast he will travel with his entourage, but I suspect you shall see a familial face ere a month has passed."
"What troubles bring him here?" she asked swiftly. "Surely he would not be summoned at such a time without due cause?"
Edward looked at her in disbelief. "No new news has reached us, only more of the same, but the continued situation with the rebels has prompted my father to seek a face-to-face meeting with all those involved with the Arizians," he said distractedly. "But are you not eager to see your father and others from your homeland?"
"Oh, yes, of course it will be lovely to see them again after such a long time," Isabella answered musingly. "But my father and I have never been close, nor have my mother and I. Regardless, I will welcome the chance to see them and perhaps Sir Jacob again."
"Who is Sir Jacob?" Edward asked, sounding panicked.
"He is the son of my father's chief advisor and a childhood friend of mine," she said, staring far off into the distance. "I expect my father will ask him and his wife to join him on the journey."
Edward let out a breath when he realized that this Jacob fellow was already married. "You are close with him, then?"
"Not as we once were," she answered. "The years, our sexes, and our respective stations did a fine job of disintegrating our relationship from childhood friendship to our current fond acquaintance. Nevertheless, I suspect that he shall be the person to whom I am closest in the entourage.
"But we did not ride out here to discuss my relationships with my various countrymen, my lord, and both our meals are nearly complete. What is it you so wanted to tell me?"
"I feel you know exactly what I wish to say," he answered both accusingly and evasively. "Else you would not be so familiar and carefree."
"Yet still you must say it," she said gently. "If it gives you a measure of comfort, I shall not interrupt whilst you speak till you have indicated that you are finished. But you must speak, for you have made no commitment as yet, to me or to yourself. Vocalizing your decisions makes them concrete."
"Yet I know not how to vocalize my thoughts in this matter, a situation to which I am unused," he sighed and paused before gathering himself and resuming. "My conclusions since our first conversation have been twofold yet akin: that I am woefully ill-prepared to rule and that I am not a man worthy of respect. Upon these realizations, I immediately wished to remedy both, but I wrestled over how each goal could be achieved.
"The most obvious solution to the former is to place myself under my father's tutelage, as he is by all accounts an able and good king. I have already taken steps to this end. It has also been brought to my attention that your own people think highly of you as a leader and that you will be a valuable asset to me as I rule. I hope to learn all I can from my father and also Jasper in the coming months and years, and I hope you will be by my side helping the process along.
"The latter issue has to do with my character rather than my knowledge, and it is that that I wrestled the most with. I wish to be one that my people are proud of, but I now know that they regard me more as a child than a future king. Perhaps I acted like a child, but none were brave enough to tell me so. But now that such a one has arisen and pointed out my mistakes, I wish to do right by her, by my people, and by myself. It is with that in mind that I now declare a severance from all women excepting my wife on aught but platonic levels. In fact, I intend to remove all my former lovers from court."
Though Isabella had promised to allow him to speak undisrupted, she at this point conveyed an expression of such disbelief that he felt compelled to acknowledge it. "What troubles you, my lady?" he asked in confusion.
"On what grounds do you intend to banish them from court, sire?" she asked shrewdly.
He sputtered for a moment. "I need no justification for my actions!" he declared. "I am the crown prince! I want them gone, and so it shall be. I thought you would be pleased with the suggestion?"
"Nothing would please me more than their absence," she said dryly. "But you forget two crucial facts. Firstly, you have no authority to banish them. Only the king and the queen have that authority. Secondly, they have committed no crimes for which we can excuse such action against them. Their only offense is copulating with you, and you cannot condemn them for that without revealing yourself to be the chief of hypocrites. And hypocrisy is not a desirable trait for a people to see in its leader."
"I care not what the country thinks regarding this matter!" he said, frustrated.
"You should; you must," she replied with exasperation. Then, seeing his distressed countenance and slumped shoulders, she realized that he was making positive changes, and she was berating him for all the things he was doing wrong. He needed affirmation, not criticism, at this junction. Her face and her tone softened. "But we can discuss the practicalities of your decision at a later time. I apologize for my timing; I do not wish you think you are married to a critical harpy who knows only how to censure. I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you will be cutting them from your life. It is the right move on all accounts, and I admire greatly that you came to the conclusion without coercion."
Edward's lips tilted up slightly, and his posture straightened with pride. "I will be faithful to you now," he said firmly. "I shall keep my vows and show the country that I am more than base instincts and insatiable appetites."
Isabella's smile dropped slightly. "Be careful before you promise me such devotion, sire," she said a bit sadly. "For once you have committed yourself to me, I shall not forgive a betrayal."
Edward looked at her for a moment, contemplating his next words. He was sincere in wanting to remain faithful to her, but could he truly succeed in the attempt? He had never tried to stifle his desires, so he knew not how he would fare. But what sort of man allows himself to be governed by frivolous pleasure rather that by his character and his choices? And what sort refuses to commit to something altogether good in order to allow himself an excuse should he fall? A coward, that's the sort of man. And though the crown prince was many things, he was no coward.
"I swear to you on the grave of my grandfather King Edward the First, you shall henceforth be my only bedmate until the end of my days," he said with conviction. "And I now ask your pardon for all the slights I have committed against you to this point. You have deserved neither my adultery nor my indifference."
"This may sound callous, but I forgive you easily, for I have had little emotion invested in you to this point," Isabella admitted. "And it may be some time before I am willing to invest more, as you must earn my trust before I can allow you hold such influence over me. But I do forgive what little discomfort I might have had at your hands."
Edward was unsure if he should be offended at her words but decided against it. After all, it was not as though he wanted his actions to have caused her pain. And he had already known that time would be required for him to earn a place of importance to her.
"I understand and expected nothing less," he said seriously before his mouth tilted up into a mischievous grin. "Now regarding something you said before . . ."
"I suppose I should have expected this," Isabella mused exasperatedly, though her mouth twitched up as well.
"You asserted that our times in the bedchambers were drab not of necessity but rather of choice on both our parts," he continued as though he had not heard her. "You intimated that we could lie together and both enjoy it in ways that we have yet foregone. Do you stand by what you said?"
"I do," Isabella said immediately. "I would be thought wanton for saying so, but I see no reason why, since God has commanded our fidelity, He would expect us not to mutually enjoy our time together. I confess, though, that sensual pleasure is not a topic about which I know a great deal."
"Then I shall be your tutor in the carnal arts," he said, still with that impish twinkle in his eye. "I shall teach you such things and show you such pleasure as will make your heart stop in delirious revelry. Shall we start our lessons now?" He failed to conceal his eagerness, as he anticipated the coming months with her would be a grand adventure for them both.
"Not so hasty, my lord!" she cried, attempting to fight back the blush creeping across her skin. "A babe must learn to crawl before it can walk, and I have no desire for my first experience with carnal pleasure to be in broad daylight in the midst of a forest. Furthermore, I cannot imagine such a time as I would agree to such. I will never allow myself to be in a position where I could be discovered by another while indecently exposed, however unlikely the location to be discovered. I am still a future queen and being caught in the forest so with any man, even my husband, shall make me a laughingstock."
"I shall take that as a challenge then," the crown prince said with a cheeky grin. "But I see your point. Would you visit me in my chambers tonight, that we might explore one another for the first time?"
A thrill of nervousness crept over Isabella at his words, but she answered him bravely regardless. "I would be delighted, my lord."
That night as the castle slept, Isabella found herself in a simple nightgown outside her husband's chambers. She did not allow herself a pause but knocked on the door softly even as her stomach turned with uncertainty. She had never entered his bedchamber, as he had always come to her rooms, and she was unsure of the reason behind the location change.
"Enter," the confident voice of her husband rang out from the room, and she pushed aside her uneasiness and opened the door.
As she entered the his bedchamber, she noted that he had drawn the curtains and set alight several candles spaced strategically so that the room was dimly yet equally lit. She saw the dark wood bed frame covered in deep red blankets and had to suppress a gulp. Edward himself was lounging against a desk along the far wall wearing naught but a thin robe and a kind smile.
Isabella was keenly aware that this would be the first time that he would see her unclothed, and she feared that more than she feared seeing him similarly, as she was well-studied enough to understand the male physique and see it without embarrassment. He crossed the room toward her and tenderly took her in his arms.
"I can see the trepidation in your eyes, though you'd never own to it," he said softly. "I wish I could express satisfactorily why there is no need for it, though I know only time will allow you to believe that."
"I fear not you," Isabella said immediately. "Rather, I dislike the idea of venturing into the unknown with one that I barely know and don't truly trust as yet."
He felt a slight pang at her words but did not react to the hurt. Instead, he reached down and carefully grabbed the hem of her gown. Isabella's breath hitched, but she did nothing to stop him. He lifted it slowly, watching her face flash through emotions, until it was above her head. She raised her arms in compliance, and a moment later the dress met the ground nearly soundlessly.
Isabella did not attempt to cover herself, as she knew that that was the point of undressing so, but her eyes screwed shut against her every impulse to do so and her shoulders slumped inward defensively.
"You're beautiful," Edward whispered as he placed his hands on her shoulders and began massaging them. He kept his touches innocent for the moment as she adjusted. "I know you know that, but it is true of every inch of you. I know that this is uncomfortable for you, but we shall never enjoy each other as bedmates if we are not at ease with one another. We must learn to enjoy each other both in the carnal act but also in mere intimate embraces and soft kisses. So, with that in mind, may I kiss you, princess?"
Isabella opened her eyes and squared her shoulders, shaking off her vulnerability. "Yes, my lord, you may," she said boldly.
He leaned down and tenderly swept his lips across hers before drawing her by her shoulders toward him and wrapping her in a protective embrace. His tongue peaked out of his mouth to touch her lips, and she opened to him on a sigh. His tongue delved languidly into her mouth to tangle with hers as she adjusted to the feeling. He kept the kiss sensual rather than heated as he slowly guided her to the bed.
The next hour would hold fear, shyness, confusion, and pleasure in turn for the young princess as she learned much about her own body and that of her husband. The exhausted state in which she found herself following their slow and tender coupling left her unresisting when Edward carefully drew her into his arms. Her last thoughts before sleep claimed her were in realization that he had invited her to his chambers because he had planned for her to fall asleep in his bed and to wonder if the move was taken as part of his teaching her intimacy or because he genuinely wanted her to stay. She did not have the energy to contemplate further as she drifted off peacefully.
There you have it. I'm not sure about the bedroom scene, but I tried and knew that it wasn't getting any better. Drop me a review to tell me what you think!
I have had a couple people tell me that Carlisle should just refuse the give Edward the crown and instead give it to Jasper. I agree that Jasper would make a fine king, but Carlisle wouldn't throw out the rules of succession without good reason. If he were on his deathbed and Edward was still clueless, maybe he'd do something drastic like that. But since he's healthy and in his prime, he has time to teach Edward and allow him to learn how to be a good ruler. Also, Alice in no way could possibly be a queen. It'd be almost as big a disaster as Edward – as he was in the beginning – being king.
Up next: Isabella and Edward adjust to their new relationship dynamics, and Charles and his entourage arrive.
See you soon!
~vupgirl